ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a comprehensive six-year action research initiative conducted among Iban weavers in Sarawak, Malaysia, stressing the vital importance of safeguarding cultural traditions to preserve identity and heritage. It sheds light on the myriad challenges encountered by these weavers in sustaining their craft, encompassing difficulties in accessing materials and navigating complex market dynamics. While striving for sustainability, collaborative efforts tailored to the weavers’ needs faced obstacles due to internal divisions and external influences. The researcher’s multifaceted engagement as an anthropologist activist, confidant, and community observer presented intricate ethical and personal challenges. Within the weaving community, entrenched communication patterns revealed allegiance to specific factions, despite acknowledging their detrimental impact on knowledge preservation and communal harmony. Communication predominantly favored certain individuals, leading to conflicts and disparities in remuneration based on skill and expertise. Exacerbated by the researcher’s departure, delayed retention endeavors, and external interventions, tensions among weavers escalated. This study underscores the critical necessity for transparent communication methods and established project agendas in community-focused initiatives. Despite these challenges, the researcher reiterates the enduring value of action research in empowering communities and improving livelihoods. Their commitment remains unwavering to effecting meaningful change through these endeavors, aiming to uplift and support these communities in preserving their rich cultural heritage.
